F♯ blues scale on guitar
The F♯ blues scale has 6 notes: F♯, A, B, C, C♯ and E. The minor pentatonic with one extra note, the flat 5th (the “blue note”). Use it as a passing note between the 4th and 5th for that instantly bluesy sound.
Notes in F♯ blues
- Formula
- 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7
- Step pattern
- W+H – W – H – H – W+H – W
- Notes
- 6
Tap a note to hear it.
F♯ blues across the neck
Every F♯ blues note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, F♯. A good place to start: F♯ on the low E string is at fret 2, so play the notes between frets 1 and 5 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from F♯ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F♯ | Root |
| ♭3 | A | Minor 3rd |
| 4 | B | Perfect 4th |
| ♭5 | C | Flat 5th |
| 5 | C♯ | Perfect 5th |
| ♭7 | E | Minor 7th |
Chords to play F♯ blues over
The F♯ blues scale fits the main chords of the F♯ minor key:
It is also the classic choice over a twelve-bar blues in F♯: F♯7, B7, C♯7.
Related scales
- Take away the ♭5 and you are back to F♯ minor pentatonic.
- Over a twelve-bar blues in F♯, players often mix it with F♯ major pentatonic for a sweeter sound.
Questions
What notes are in the F♯ blues scale?
F♯, A, B, C, C♯, E. Its formula is 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7.
Where do I start the F♯ blues scale on guitar?
F♯ on the low E string is at fret 2, so play the notes between frets 1 and 5 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every F♯ blues note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to F♯ blues?
Take away the ♭5 and you are back to F♯ minor pentatonic.
More scales
Blues in every key
Other scales from F♯